But the facts known could not be got to dovetail themselves
pleasantly. If Lord George had possessed himself of the diamonds at
Carlisle, or with Lizzie's connivance before they reached Carlisle, then,
why had there been a second robbery? Bunfit, who was very profound in his
theory, suggested that the second robbery was an additional plant, got up
with the view of throwing more dust into the eyes of the police. Patience
Crabstick had, of course, been one of the gang throughout, and she had now
been allowed to go off with her mistress's money and lesser trinkets, so
that the world of Scotland Yard might be thrown more and more into the
mire of ignorance and darkness of doubt. To this view Gager was altogether
opposed. He was inclined to think that Lord George had taken the diamonds
at Carlisle with Lizzie's connivance; that he had restored them in London
to her keeping, finding the suspicion against him too heavy to admit of
his dealing with them, and that now he had stolen them a second time,
again with Lizzie's connivance; but in this latter point Gager did not
pretend to the assurance of any conviction.
But Gager at the present moment had achieved a triumph in the matter which
he was not at all disposed to share with his elder officer.
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